ELIZABETHTOWN — Kristie Lennon worked hard to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke a few years ago, and now she has a career she hopes to have for many years to come.

She’s a volunteer, and a top-notch one at that.

Lennon has been a volunteer in the Bladen County Hospital’s gift shop since 2003 — the same year her sisters, Kaye and Kathy, also began volunteering in the gift shop. The three of them, known among many of the hospital employees as The Three Ks, can be found volunteering together every Sunday.

“I really enjoy working in the gift shop and getting to meet people as they come and go,” Lennon said. There are a lot of really nice people here.”

Lennon, who lives at White Lake with her husband Jesse, was first introduced to Bladen County Hospital several years ago when her mother was a patient for nine weeks. During that time, Lennon said she “fell in love with the people there.”

Sharon Meismer, director of volunteer services at the hospital, said Lennon is effective, reliable and always willing to help.

“I wish I had more just like her.” Meismer said.

In May, Lennon was chosen as the 2008 Bladen County Hospital Volunteer of the Year — an honor that completely stunned her.

“I was very shocked,” Lennon said. “I couldn’t even talk when I heard my name called.”

But the award was well deserved. Lennon had put in more than 800 hours of volunteer service to the hospital in 2008.

Meismer said the volunteers in the gift shop are usually the first people visitors encounter, and they are often the face of the hospital.

“Kristie and her sisters are perfect for the gift shop, because they care about what they do and they care about people,” Meismer said.

In addition to volunteering in the gift shop, Lennon has served nearly three years as the secretary of the Bladen County Hospital Auxiliary. And for the last several years, she has also assisted with the hospital’s blood drives — making phone calls beforehand and helping wherever she can during the events.

“I usually call about 150 people before the blood drive and remind them to come donate,” Lennon said. “Most of them know my voice and are expecting my call.”

Outside the hospital, Lennon also volunteers with the Elizabethtown Police Department’s annual Kids Appreciation Day.

“I just enjoy helping people,” she said. “And I hope I can do this for a long time to come.”